Oxford United 0-1 Swansea City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Swansea City beat Oxford United 0-1 at the Kassam Stadium. The visitors took an early lead when Zan Vipotnik scored in the 13th minute, assisted by Josh Tymon, and that proved to be the decisive moment as Oxford struggled to break down a solid Swansea defence. Coming off a mixed run with just one win in their last five league games, including recent losses to Charlton Athletic and Preston North End, Oxford showed some intent but couldn’t convert pressure into goals.

Swansea held firm through the second half, picking up yellow cards for Melker Widell, Zeidane Inoussa, Marko Stamenić and Ji-sung Eom, while Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham and Jack Currie were also booked. Substitutions came into play with Swansea making changes around the hour mark to maintain control, and their recent form of two wins in the last five outings helped them grind out the result away from home. Oxford, desperate to climb from their poor run, pushed late but left empty-handed.

Swansea edged possession with 53% compared to Oxford’s 47%, allowing them to dictate much of the tempo while Oxford looked to counter. The visitors dominated corners 5-1 and successful dribbles 47-31, pointing to more attacking threat and ability to beat defenders, though both sides racked up cards with Oxford on two yellows and Swansea on four, reflecting a scrappy encounter without any reds or penalties. No injury-time goals shifted the scoreline, and Swansea’s single assist underlined their efficient finishing from limited chances.

Substitutions saw Oxford make four changes, starting with Filip Krastev replacing Luke Harris at 55 minutes, followed by Siriki Dembélé for Przemyslaw Placheta and Will Lankshear for Nik Prelec at 66 minutes, then Ole Romeny for Stanley Mills at 76 minutes. Swansea used all five, with Gonçalo Franco for Jay Fulton and Ronald for Zeidane Inoussa at 61 minutes, Malick Yalcouyé for Ji-sung Eom at 76 minutes, and late switches of Josh Key for Ethan Galbraith plus Ishé Samuels-Smith for Melker Widell at 87 minutes, helping them see out the win.

The match turned early when Zan Vipotnik put Swansea ahead in the 13th minute with a goal assisted by Josh Tymon, setting the tone for a defensive display from the visitors. Yellow cards disrupted the flow, with Oxford’s Tyler Goodrham booked at 13 minutes and Jack Currie at 69 minutes, while Swansea saw Melker Widell cautioned at 35 minutes, Zeidane Inoussa at 53 minutes, Marko Stamenić at 73 minutes and Ji-sung Eom at 75 minutes.

Substitutions aimed to inject energy, as Oxford brought on Filip Krastev for Luke Harris at 55 minutes, Siriki Dembélé for Przemyslaw Placheta and Will Lankshear for Nik Prelec at 66 minutes, plus Ole Romeny for Stanley Mills at 76 minutes. Swansea responded with Gonçalo Franco replacing Jay Fulton and Ronald coming on for Zeidane Inoussa at 61 minutes, Malick Yalcouyé for Ji-sung Eom at 76 minutes, and late introductions of Josh Key for Ethan Galbraith alongside Ishé Samuels-Smith for Melker Widell at 87 minutes, which helped secure the narrow victory without further goals.

Oxford United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, focusing on midfield solidity to support their attacking outlets like Tyler Goodrham, who picked up an early yellow card. Partnerships in the forward areas involved players such as Przemyslaw Placheta and Nik Prelec before their substitutions, with Luke Harris and Stanley Mills also featuring until replaced by Filip Krastev and Ole Romeny respectively.

Swansea City set out in a 4-1-4-1 formation, emphasising a deep midfield anchor to protect the backline while allowing wing threats like Ji-sung Eom and Zeidane Inoussa to push forward before their exits. Zan Vipotnik led the line effectively with his early goal assisted by Josh Tymon, and changes saw Gonçalo Franco, Ronald, Malick Yalcouyé, Josh Key and Ishé Samuels-Smith introduced to maintain control.

Zan Vipotnik earned Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match honours for his decisive contribution, scoring the only goal of the game while adding one key pass without creating big chances or assists beyond that. His early strike in the 13th minute proved the difference, showcasing sharp finishing that stood out in a tight contest.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Swansea City (H)
• Win: 2-1 vs Southampton (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Charlton Athletic (A)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Preston North End (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Oxford United (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Coventry City (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Wrexham (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Stoke City (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Portsmouth (H)

Oxford United have just lost 0-1 at home to Swansea City, leaving them on 22 points in 22nd place after a patchy run with only one win in their last five league matches. They face Ipswich Town next on 1 January 2026 at 15:00, with the opponents sitting third on 41 points, making this a tough test as Oxford look to avoid further slide down the table and pick up vital points against a side chasing promotion.

Swansea City have just won 1-0 away at Oxford United, boosting them to 29 points in 18th place following two wins in their last five league outings. Their next fixture is against West Bromwich Albion on 1 January 2026 at 15:00, with the opponents in 16th on 31 points, offering a chance to build momentum and create some breathing room in mid-table.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.